Graduate School Journey: Piled Higher and Deeper (Ph.D.)

Graduate school often feels like being buried in books and papers.
Illustration and title inspired by Piled Higher and Deeper (PhD Comics).

When I tell people I am going back for a Ph.D., the reactions are mixed. Some tilt their heads in disbelief, others nod knowingly, and a few just ask, “Why?” The truth is, my reasons do not fit into the usual clichés.

Why I am doing this

No, I do not hate myself. At least, not enough to suffer through years of research misery without a purpose.
No, it is not family pressure. Nobody is pushing me into this. If anything, I have had people suggest I do not need it.
No, it is not for the title. The idea of being called Dr. Hong regularly makes me squirm. This is not about showing off letters after my name.

So what is it about?

Research that excites me. My collaboration with The Ohio State University has been some of the most engaging work I have done. I want more of that.
Teaching opportunities. I would like to try teaching, maybe an EE undergrad course in hardware security or even a circuits course. It is a chance to give back and to inspire the next group of engineers.
Learning never stops. There are still many classes I want to take, and a Ph.D. gives me a structured excuse to learn deeply.
Scholarship support. I am fortunate to have funding, which makes this leap realistic.
Career potential. In aerospace and defense, a Ph.D. can matter, especially for proposal writing and technical leadership.
Fighting misinformation. There are conspiracy theories that target electrical engineering, especially RF and microwave. Publishing papers with a Ph.D. byline is my way to push back with evidence.

And I will admit a small reason. I do not think anyone in my 2017 graduating class has completed a Ph.D. There is a bit of clout to be gained. I want to say, “I will succeed where others failed.”

What lies ahead

A Ph.D. is not just about mastering a topic. It is about the grind. Late nights, failed experiments, endless revisions. I am not under any illusions about that. The struggle is part of the process. If I push through, I will come out with knowledge and with the resilience that comes from surviving the gauntlet.

Balancing act

This journey will not happen in a vacuum. I still have work, projects, hobbies, and responsibilities outside academia. Balancing all of it will be its own challenge. Maybe that is why I am doing this now. I finally have enough perspective, discipline, and stubbornness to make it work.

Closing thoughts

The Ph.D. is not about prestige, pressure, or posturing. It is about doing the work I love, opening doors I could not otherwise walk through, and challenging myself in a way that feels both terrifying and necessary.

So here I go, piled higher and deeper.

Hong's Electronics